No, not the computer from V For Vendetta or the esoteric hero from the DC universe, but Fate of the Artist as it happens. As mentioned here recently, the excellent Eddie Campbell is one of the creators the new First Second Books imprint will feature in their inaugural graphic novels range this spring. All excited, we timidly asked is Eddie would care to tell us a little about Fate of the Artist:
“The Fate of the Artist will be my first book out since Batman: the Order of Beasts two years ago. I think I’ve succeeded in making a book that looks immediately accessible to readers who are not in the comic book habit, but upon first and successive readings will offer unexpected complexities and surprises like a join-the-dots puzzle.
Under a surface that appears to be made up of gags and insightful funny anecdotes in the ” Alec ” manner, I, Eddie Campbell, investigate my own mysterious disappearance, and in re-enactments of my recent domestic calamities my part is played by an actor, who in the course of things develops his own personality.
It’s a kind of metaphysical whodunit. I was sent an advance copy of the book from our Hong Kong printer and it sure is the neatest and prettiest little book I have ever had the pleasure to appear in. It’s on top quality paper with end flaps and even has a sewn binding. If you were seen reading it on the train you would immediately become an object of envy. Others will want it. In fact, I think I may have been done in for it.”
Of course others will want it! In fact I want a copy right now, but I guess I’ll have to wait. Oh well, it is always nice to have something to look forward to.
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October 12th, 2006 at 9:53 am
[...] Gene Luen Yang’s recently published American Born Chinese graphic novel is on the shortlist for the National Book Awards in the US. Nominated in the Young People’s Literature category it is the first time a graphic novel has been nominated, reports ICV2, so a considerable tip of the hat to Yang. It’s also quite a coup for the genre to be represented and must be a huge morale booster for his publisher First Second who only launched this year. You may recall me talking about their original launch of six titles back in the spring, with an impressive range of titles which included work by the excellent Joann Sfar, Lewis Trondheim and Eddie Campbell (who talked to us about his work, Fate of the Artist, back here). So a pretty impressive result just to get nominated at this level; hopefully it will raise awareness of the medium among non-comics readers and encourage First Second to put out more good graphic novels. We’re hoping to talk with Mark Siegal of First Second in the near future, so watch this space. [...]